Fifth Yiniang was startled to hear this and looked at Eleventh Miss in confusion. “Eleventh Young Miss… have you been arranging a match for Twelfth Miss?”

The matter had not yet taken shape, and Eleventh Miss had not wanted Fifth Yiniang to know and worry. Now that Sixth Yiniang had wept and told everything, she had no choice but to explain the course of events to Fifth Yiniang: “…The family seemed suitable, so I mentioned it to Elder Sister-in-law.”

“The First Madam doesn’t agree?” Fifth Yiniang listened and murmured thoughtfully.

Given Sixth Yiniang’s manner, the First Madam clearly did not agree.

Before Eleventh Miss could answer, however, Sixth Yiniang had already spoken: “She insists that Twelfth Miss is still young, and refuses to agree to this match.” Her tears fell again. “A family of clean reputation, the eldest son, with academic honors to his name, of upright character… where would you find such a fine match? Say Twelfth Miss is a little young — but who gets married the very day they’re betrothed? With the three letters and six rites, it takes three or four years, by which time Twelfth Miss will have reached the age of adulthood, the perfect time for marriage.” She went on: “The Elder Master has said that after summer we’ll return to Yuhang. Once we’ve left Yanjing, finding someone of Wang Gongzi’s character and birth will be harder than ascending to heaven. She’s simply looking down on Wang Gongzi for being a collateral branch, with a thin family foundation — so that when Twelfth Miss marries in, she won’t have money and goods to help out, nor any significant standing.” Then: “Just look at the marriages of the young misses of our household and you’ll understand…” The words once out, she remembered Eleventh Miss was still there, and forced herself to swallow the rest. But still feeling aggrieved, she said resentfully: “Does she want her to end up like Tenth Young Miss — all for the sake of a good name, no matter if she lives or dies!”

What Sixth Yiniang spoke of was exactly what Eleventh Miss herself had worried about.

Daughters were used for making alliances. The match she had arranged for Twelfth Miss was naturally the best possible for Twelfth Miss herself. But for the Luo Family, there was little advantage in it. For practical gain, Wang Ze was a collateral branch of the Wang Family — how could he compare to Marquis Yongping Xu Lingyi? For prestige, Wang Ze was merely a licentiate serving in the Zhennan Marquis Estate — how could he compare to Qian Ming, who was already a provincial graduate?

But she was, after all, a daughter who had already married out. In family affairs, she had the right only to suggest, not to decide.

Eleventh Miss gave Sixth Yiniang a hint: “Wang Gongzi also has a younger brother born of the same mother, who passed his licentiate examination at twelve. Even the Zhennan Marquis regards him very highly. Had it not been for Wang Gongzi’s maternal uncle, Wang Gongzi would long ago have been matched with a niece of his clansman’s wife. Why doesn’t Sixth Yiniang mention this to Father and Elder Brother? They should have their own considerations.”

“Will… will that do any good?” Sixth Yiniang asked doubtfully. “If that’s the case, wouldn’t it be even more persuasive to say that you wish to cultivate a friendship with Madam Zhou, and so want to marry Twelfth Miss into their family?”

Although Sixth Yiniang was shrewd and capable, the limitations of her life experience made her thinking somewhat one-dimensional. Explaining would be rather laborious.

Eleventh Miss smiled: “Sixth Yiniang, try saying what I suggested first. If it doesn’t work, there will still be time to say it’s because I want to be on good terms with Madam Zhou!”

Sixth Yiniang was still hesitating somewhat, when Eleventh Miss smiled and said: “But if this match should happen to succeed — there are some things I should also remind Sixth Yiniang about. Wang Gongzi’s family foundation is indeed thin, and since he refused the assistance of the Zhennan Marquis’s heir, he will likely also refuse assistance from his wife’s family. His academic honors may well end here. A son-in-law like that…”

“Eleventh Young Miss,” Sixth Yiniang said earnestly, “a matchmaker looks for a match of equal standing. If Wang Gongzi’s family were prosperous, or if he were the sort willing to accept others’ help, would our Twelfth Miss ever have had such an opportunity?” She looked at Eleventh Miss sincerely. “This much, we do understand.”

Eleventh Miss heard this and nodded slightly, smiling. “Then we shall simply wait for Madam Zhou’s news. If it can come to pass, we will likely still need Yiniang to give Twelfth Miss some counsel at that time.”

“Though Twelfth Miss cannot compare to Eleventh Young Miss,” Sixth Yiniang said modestly, “she does know what’s good and right. Whether or not this comes to pass, Twelfth Miss understands Eleventh Young Miss’s kind intentions.”

With those words from Sixth Yiniang, Eleventh Miss felt settled. She ate the midday meal at her family home, then returned to Lotus Lane.

The next morning, bright and early, Luo’s eldest daughter-in-law came calling.

“If the Wang Family is also amenable, we have nothing more to say. When the time comes, we shall rely on Young Miss to pass the word along.”

It seemed the Luo Family had carefully weighed the pros and cons of this match after all.

Eleventh Miss took note. She kept Luo’s eldest daughter-in-law for lunch at home, and personally saw her off to the ornamental gate.

That afternoon, Madam Zhou arrived.

“Whether or not I can claim my matchmaker’s shoes is all up to one word from you.”

This meant the Wang Family had no objections.

It was a perfectly satisfying outcome for all.

Eleventh Miss smiled: “I’ve been wondering just what sort of shoe upper to make for Zhou Elder Sister.”

Madam Zhou beamed with delight, but then sighed: “My sister-in-law’s eyesight is failing, and the household lacks someone to manage affairs. I had been worried earlier that your Twelfth Sister was a little young. Who could have guessed that my sister-in-law was also fretting that the family hasn’t saved much these past few years, and that rushing into marriage would look too sparse. This truly is what they mean by a thousand-li match made by a single thread of fate.”

Eleventh Miss smiled and nodded, then accompanied Madam Zhou to the Matriarch’s quarters.

The Matriarch was also very pleased when she heard: “What a remarkable coincidence!” She then kept Madam Zhou for dinner.

Madam Zhou laughed: “My sister-in-law is waiting with eyes stretched wide for my reply! I’ll come and trouble you again in a couple of days — today I’ll go cadge a meal at my sister-in-law’s!”

The Matriarch laughed heartily and did not press her to stay, but instead asked about Princess Fucheng: “…What has she been doing at home these days?”

“Being pestered relentlessly by our Fang Jie’er — helping her feed cats every day!”

“Feeding cats?”

Madam Zhou laughed: “During the New Year, a clansman of mine serving as Provincial Administration Commissioner in Fujian sent over two cats — white fur, one with green eyes, one with blue. Fang Jie’er is absolutely enchanted by them. Afraid others won’t care for them properly, she feeds them herself every single day. A few days ago she went with the Princess to play in the palace, and came back with a rash all over her body. After taking medicine for more than half a month with no improvement, the Princess suspected the cat fur was the cause, and ordered the cats sent away. Fang Jie’er heard this and refused outright. The Princess had no choice but to assign two small maidservants specifically to feed them for her. She still wasn’t at ease and went every day to check on them. In the end, the Princess simply moved the cats to her own courtyard to care for them!”

“What a thing!” the Matriarch said, laughing. “Tell your mother-in-law that I’d like to come and see for myself tomorrow — what rare creature has Fang Jie’er in such a state of fascination.”

Princess Fucheng was the Emperor’s paternal aunt; the Matriarch was the Empress’s mother. Though the two elder ladies had no ill feeling between them, they could not be said to be particularly close. For the Matriarch to suddenly propose visiting Princess Fucheng’s estate on account of a cat… both Eleventh Miss and Madam Zhou were momentarily taken aback.

But Madam Zhou quickly collected herself and smiled: “Oh my, what an honored guest I’m about to receive! The Princess will be so delighted when you come! She has been longing for someone to come and visit.” She said many more words of welcome.

“Then it’s settled.” The Matriarch smiled and nodded, fixing the visit for the early afternoon.

Madam Zhou agreed repeatedly and rose to take her leave.

Eleventh Miss saw Madam Zhou to the ornamental gate, then turned back to the Matriarch’s quarters.

“You are all busy,” the Matriarch instructed Eleventh Miss. “Nanny Du will accompany me tomorrow — that will be quite sufficient.”

It seemed as though something was afoot.

Seeing that the Matriarch did not wish to say more, Eleventh Miss did not presume to ask. She smiled and agreed, then went to make the necessary arrangements for the Matriarch’s outing.

The next day, after seeing the Matriarch off, she returned to Bowstring Alley herself.

The Luo Family invited Fourth Brother-in-law Yu Yiqing to serve as matchmaker; the Wang Family invited the heir of the Zhennan Marquis estate. The two families exchanged horoscope documents and had them compared, and before summer arrived, exchanged preliminary betrothal gifts to set the match. All of this came afterward. When Zhen Jie’er learned of it, she laughed and pulled at Eleventh Miss’s hand: “So Mother really did go to play matchmaker!” The weather had grown a little warm by then, and the household had already begun brewing mung bean soup. She served a bowl to Eleventh Miss. “And are you really going to make Madam Zhou a pair of shoes?”

“Of course I am!” Eleventh Miss smiled. “It was a promise I made to someone!”

“Then… will Twelfth Auntie also have to stay home doing needlework like Hui Jie’er?”

“Not for now.” Seeing Zhen Jie’er’s curiosity, Eleventh Miss explained: “Twelfth Auntie is still young — the two families agreed to wait until Twelfth Miss has reached adulthood before the formal reception. In another two years she’ll be just like Hui Jie’er, shut up at home doing needlework!”

Zhen Jie’er laughed at this. “Then I’ll embroider a door curtain for Twelfth Auntie too!”

She had made a door curtain for Hui Jie’er.

Eleventh Miss looked at Zhen Jie’er before her, smiling brightly, and thought of Xu Lingyi.

The Dragon Boat Festival was approaching, yet there was not a word from him, and she had no idea how things were going. More to the point, many matters required his return to be decided — particularly Zhen Jie’er’s marriage.

These past two days the Zhuo Family had been sending things over one after another, being most attentive.

Lost in thought, Wen Yiniang entered carrying an account book.

Zhen Jie’er and Wen Yiniang faced each other, both slightly ill at ease.

Eleventh Miss smiled and invited Wen Yiniang to sit. Zhen Jie’er said, “I’ll go fetch the mung bean soup,” and quickly stepped out of the inner chamber.

Wen Yiniang glanced at the swaying gauze curtain, then turned to report to Eleventh Miss: “I’ve sorted through all the household accounts. The biggest expenditure is in the kitchen…”

Eleventh Miss concentrated and went over the accounts with Wen Yiniang.

A small maidservant came in to report: “The First Madam of the Weiyuan Marquis Estate, Madam Lin, has arrived!”

Eleventh Miss quickly invited her in.

Madam Lin had brought several golden-traced Sichuan fans: “Our Hui Jie’er made these herself, to give to Zhen Jie’er.” She also brought several baskets of white peaches. “I know you don’t lack for such things — this is just a small token of my appreciation. Without you, our Hui Jie’er would never have settled down to do her needlework.” It seemed these were a gift specifically in thanks to her.

Eleventh Miss demurred politely and had Hupo put them away, then asked after Hui Jie’er: “I hear the wedding date has been set for the fifth month of next year?”

As Madam Lin spoke, a shadow crossed her eyes, and with an expression of quiet melancholy she nodded: “They keep pressing!”

Eleventh Miss was about to offer a few words of comfort when a small maidservant reported: “Madam Zhuo has arrived!”

“Please show her in!” Eleventh Miss replied, her tone carrying a hint of resignation that she herself had not noticed.

Madam Lin heard this and raised an eyebrow slightly, lowering her voice: “I’ve heard the Zhuo Family wants to arrange a match with your household — is there such a thing?”

It seemed everyone must have heard some whisper of it.

Eleventh Miss nodded.

Madam Lin teased: “From the look on your face, you still have to entertain her. Is it too good to discard but too distasteful to keep?”

Eleventh Miss felt it was not quite right to speak ill of the Zhuo Family that way. She smiled and said: “It’s simply that Administrator Zhuo and our Marquis are close personal friends!”

Madam Lin could not miss the unspoken meaning: “Had I known, I’d have come to add to the occasion and played matchmaker for your Zhen Jie’er myself!”

—